Means for guarding against the unauthorized receiving of radiocommunications



R. BAINTON MEANS FOR GUARDING AGAINST THE UNAUTHORIZED RECEIVING OF RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS Filed July 18 1922 w ATTOFPNEYS RAYMOND BAINTON, OF GREELEY, COLORADO.

MEANS FOR GUARDING AGAINST THE UNAUTHORIZED RECEIVING OF RADIO- GOMMUNICATIQNS. i

Application filed iiuly 18, 1922. Serial No. 575,872.

1 This invention relates to the synchronous control of the receiving and the sending sets of space or wireless intelligence transmission systems broadl and particularly emi bodies novel means for guarding against the unauthorized receiving of radio communications.

The invention has been more especially devised with reference to radio telephony, P or radiophone receiving and transmitting sets, and for simplicityof illustration and description it will accordingly be disclosed in such particular relations. It is to be understood at the outset, however, that in so' i specifically disclosing the same there is no intention of imposing thereon any real unnecessary limitations, because some of the features of the improvements no doubt, at least from certain aspects, might be satisfactorily employed in other analogous relations.

.It is understood that radiophonecommunications and recitals of numerous and vary- .ing characters are being broadcasted under government licenses and restrictions both 5 with reference to the wave lengths employed as well as to the starting time and duration of such authorized use, and heretofore it has been possible for anyone, having a properly equipped radiophone receiving set of fairly comprehensive scope or range, to listen in on such communications generally, Whether intended for public or comparatively private distribution, including highly instructive and artistic programs of entertainment which are received free of charge, by simply manipulating the regulator means of their receiving set, such as the detector and the tuning condenser or devices of analogous character, for bringing the instrument in re- I ceptive resonance or proper responsive attunement wit-h reference to the wave length emissions from the transmitting or broadcasting station or stations. In other words it does not appear that, heretofore, there has i been produced any substantially effective governing means, automatically or otherwise functioning in the nature of a lock-out as it were, for guarding against the unauthorized reception of such radiophone communil cations, which latter may be intended to be keep that activity keenly alive the manufacturers or dealers in these instruments, or equipment therefor, will naturally provide such entertainments as long as they have to for the purpose of effecting large sales. On the other hand, concerning especially the commercialization of such programs of artistic entertainment embodying, amongst otherfeatures, instrumental and vocal renditions of varying characters, there can be no doubt but that the item of compensation will soon become a factor of vital importance, because substantial charges must eventually be made to bona fide subscribers, for the upkeep and reasonable profits of the business of promoting and furnishing such entertaining but costly service, requiring the expenditure of largesums for highly talented artists and expenses of operations generally.

It would seem to be obvious, therefore, that the enormous expenses of free broadcasting cannot go on indefinitely, because they will become prohibitive of the present practice of manufacturers, for instance, to broadcast these costly entertainments, as they now do more or less gratuitously, when and in the event that the sales of their goods pertaining to this art are materially cut down or lessened by the market demand therefor having been substantially supplied in point of wholesale distribution now liberally enjoyed. Assuredly, there will be no incentive for others than manufacturers or large dealers handling such equipment to send out such entertalning programs without substantial remunerative compensation for their special broadcasting service and expenses thereof, any more than that the average person could legitimately attend a radio. emanations from the latter of either continuously or periodically varying wave 'lengthsmay be synchronously picked up by authorized subscribers only as an un1nterrupted program, under automatic control at both ends, whereas nonsubscribers will find it diflicult, if not feasibly impossible, to keep their receiving sets in responsive attunem-ent with the aforesaid varying wave length emissions from the transmitting station, and certainingly not with any degree of actual continuity, as they will not have a translating key adapter as hereinafter referred to.

In the accomplishment of my object, and as generically stated, I provide for a timecontrolled sending key adapter at the transmitting set in couple with the usual wave changing device thereof, of whatever charac ter or type or by whatever term styled, for either continuously or periodically varying the wave length emissions, which sending key adapter is produced in manifold quan tities for each predetermined entertainment to be separately forwarded to each subscriber, in the nature of a paid ticket, and

each of which is physically employed additionally as a translating key adapter that is installed at each subscribers receiv ng set, in time controlled synchronous relatlon to the sending key adapter as well as in couple with;

' the usual adjustable wave compensating for device of the receiving set, of whatever character or type or by whatever term styled although commonly referred to as the tuning condenser, for maintaining the receiving instrument in proper responsive attunement forthe predetermined altering wave lengths broadcasted.

The foregoing objects and stated functioning of my improvements, however, will be" so-clearly apparent as incidental to the fat lowing disclosure that no useful purpose would. be served in further enlarging upon the same initially, and reference will be immediately had, therefore, to the accompany- .ing drawings illustrating a practical embodiment of the improvements, in which draw 1ngs Figure 1 1s an'elevational view of an embodiment of the physical parts of my improvements in combination, of which there may be broader or more specific conceptions as to details, and coupled in association with a wave responsive regulator device of a .wave changing'device of a radiophone transmitting. set;

Figure 3 is an elevational view taken at right angles to Figure 1 and as viewed from the left thereof;

Figure 4 is a plan view looking down on Figures 1 or 3, and inferentially looking down on Figure 2 as well;

Figure 5 is a chartographical plan view of a translating key adapter, being a duplicate of the sending key adapter, and illustrating an elongated type employed, for rectilinear actuation, where the wave length emissions are to be of a continuously varying character Figure 6-is a view analogous to Figure 5, but illustrating a modified form or type of the key adapter, as designed for rotary actuation; and

Figure 7 is a view analogous to Figure 5, but illustrating a modified form or type thereof, for employment where the wave length emissions are to be of a periodically varying character, as distinguished from a continuously varying or changeable wave length.

It may be suggested, however, that various equivalent forms or' types of these key adapters might be employed, if desired, other than those specifically shown, which latter are primarily illustrated as a matter of preference only.

Also, it may not be amiss to state here the understanding that the length of the waves emanating at the sending station are theoretically determined by the length of thc transmitting aerial wires, but practically by the inclusion in circuit there-with of an inductance element or regulating means for controlling the degree of impedance in the aerial circuit, and that parts of the receiving radiophone instrument must accordingly be adjustably regulated for the'attunement of the instrument relatively to the frequency of the wave oscillations. Such regulating means, respectively, may perhaps be called by different names in practice, but wherever herein I employ the expression wave responsive, whether it'be the socalled tuning condenser or otherwise, I refer to that device or controlling means that attunes the receiving set through its antenna in actual syntony with the transmitting set and wherever I employ the expression wave changing, I mean that device or frequency controlling means that regulates the lengtl of the waves sent out from the transmitting station.

designates the shaft of an adjustable. served that the keying surface 27 is of subwave responsive device of the usual or any stan'tially continuing variant contour, as is suitable type, which may be manually oscil likewise the keying surface 27 of Fig. 6, lated or turned back and forth by a disk while the keying surface 27 of Fig. 7 is a or knob 11, its movements being indicated periodically variant surface comprising by a suitable scale arrangement shown as planetary steps of varying depths and comprising a pointer 12 on the knob and lengths, the longitudinal parallel lines 28 be graduations 13 on the wall support 1-1, jouring intended as a chartographical illustranaling one end of the shaft 10 and illustion designating wave lengths in meters, and trated in broken jagged outline. the transverse parallel lines 30 as divisions 1516 designate means for oscillating the of time during which such wave lengths are shaft 10, while 18 is a movably mounted licensed to be employed. These lines are also bar for actuating the same. 15 may be a shown as continuing outside of the actual star wheel fixed to the shaft and 16 a rec zone of the key adapter as at 29 and 31, retilinearly operated perforated bar, although spectively, and all of the analogous parts or any other form of rack and pinion or equivdesignations in Figs. 6 and 7 are indicated by alent means would suffice, and when the the same numerals with the addition of the movable bar 18 is pivotally supported at exponents a and b. Although a chartoits lower end, as shown at 19, then the bar graphical designation of wave lengths of 16 is likewise pivotally connected as at 17 from 360 to 375 meters with a time designato the upper end thereof. The inner edge tion of from 6 p. m. to 8.45 p. m. are illusface of the bar 18 provides a contact elctrated by the drawings, it is ofvcourse to be ment, preferably an antifriction element as understood that this is merely illustrative represented. by the roller 20, which is assoand not intended as limitations at all, for the ciated in proper wiping relation with the invention is equally applicable for use with key adapter as hereinafter more fully stated, any other proper wave lengths or at any and 21 conventionally illustrates means for other times, under licensed control and govholding the roller up against the key ernment regulations. It is also to be underadapter. stood that the bodies of the key adapters may 22 designates a shaft, which may be jouractually embody these chartographical desnaled as at 23, and is driven by any suitignations, which may be of advantage to the able time-controlled means, such as the minsubscriber in properly adjusting his receivute hand shaft of a standardized clock meching instrument, without delay at any time, anism, or as coupled up therewith or with in the event that he is late for the beginning the like. This shaft 22 in turn operates of the program, Or for any one of say a weekactuating means for the key adapter, which ly series of programs, that his purchase-Ll actuating means may consist of the star ticket-translating-key-adapter calls for, but wheel 24 and perforated bar 25, or their this is not essentially necessary to the actual equivalent, but the element 25 need not invention involved. necessarily be a rigid bar, as it moves only in one direction, whereas the bar 16 should cates the transmitting or broadcasting stabe rigid as it is a reciprocating bar. tion, the same or analogous parts as of Fig- The key adapter is indicated at 2626 ure 1 are indicated by the same ,reference 26 in Figs. 2, 6 and 7, respectively, and at numerals but with the prime sign expo- 26 in all of the other figures, with its keying nent added, although it is to be understood edge face surface designated at 27 in Figs. that the shaft 10, instead of operating a 3, 4 and 5, at 2? in Fig. 6, and at 27" in wave responsive device, in reality actuates Fig. 7. a Wave changing device, either directly or lVhen the adapter is. in the nature of a through intermediate connections. In some fiat elongated member, as illustrated at Figs. instances, however, the shaft 10 and star 5 and 7, it is deta hably secured in any suitwheel 15' would doubtless be omitted, or at able way to the-actuating element 25 for the least that could be done, and the bar 16' operation of its keying surface in proper coupled directly or indirectly in any suitable wiping association with the roller 20 of the manner with the proper movable element pressure controlled movable bar 18 ,but of the wave changing device. By analogy, when the key adapterv is designed for rotary this would. also be true with reference to actuation, as at Fig. 6, it is obvious that it Figure 1. I would be detachably mounted by the shaft- At this point it may be finally emphasized 22 or its equivalent. Also, it isto be underthat the actuating means for the sending stood that the translating key adapters are key adapter 26', illustrated as embodying always duplicates of thesending key adapter the shaft 22", star wheel 24 and an eleemployed at the time, at least in so far as ment analogous to the element 25 but not ap the contours oft-heir keying surfaces are pearing in the view, are so time-controlled concerned. p in. their operations that the analogous parts \Vith reference'to Fig. 5, it will be 013- 'of the receiving set may be maintained in At Figure 2, which conventionally indi Inn &

true synchronismtherewith, and this may be done in any preferred way, suh as by the employment of standardized clock mechanism, or synchronizing motors, means or systems of any suitable character, the essentials being that the translating key adapters should be actuated in congruently registering synchronism with the sending key adapter, and with reference to their wiping control or keying surfaces as before fully referred to.

Operation.

Assuming that the broadcasting station is employing a sending key adapter as at Fig. 5, of which the subscribing stations have been'supplied'with their paid for tickettranslating duplicates. The program starts at 6 p.- m. on a wave length of 360' meters, which wave length gradually increases until at'between 6.15 and 6.45 oclock the waves are being sent out at lengths of 363 meters,

. the keying surface thereof wipes over the roller 20, the movable bar 18 will be moved back and forth, and through the connection 16 will in like manner operate the proper movable element of the wave changing device, for continuously varying the wavelength emissions in the degrees as just previ ously recited. The receiving station or "sta-- tions having properly adjusted their translating key adapters, at the beginning ofthe program or at any time within the limits of its duration, as will be fully understood Jfrom all of the foregoing, it follows that a synchronous actuation will'likewise be carried on at'each subscribing station entitled to listen in on that program, for as the keying surface; 27 of the translating key wipes over the roller 20, the movable bar 18 is caused to be actuated back and forth, congruently with the actuation of the bar 18,

-, and by means of its connection 16, or its equivalent, will in like manneroperate the proper movable part of the wave responsive devlce for automatically keeping the receiving instrument in syntony with the sending I instrument regardless of the wave frequency or fluctuations at the broadcasting station. After initial adjustment, therefore,'the receiving station is required to do nofurther adjusting, as this" is all provided for automatically, but a receiving station nothav- 'ing any such key'adapter would find it dif asaoeo ficult, if not feasibly impossible, to keep their instruments constantly manipulated manually for following the program uninterrupted'ly.

From the foregoing description, it will be obvious that the same operations in princi- .ple will follow when employing a rotatable key adapter at either or both ends, excepting.

that the mounting of the key adapter and its actual actuation would be slightly different, although clearly apparent without further description.

Of course, any one particular broadcasting station may not be able to obtain a government license for the use of certain different wave lengths during a specified period of time, but contractual arrangementsrcould be made as between licensees for exchanging or borrowing the use of theirwave lengths during a limited period of their time, so that there would be no especial air interference which is aimed-to be strictly guarded against by restrictive regulations.

Finally, a key adapter might be employed which would have a keying surface that would only periodically vary the Wave length emissions, instead of continuously do-- ing so,-and which in manycases might be more desirable anyhow than the employment of ones whereby a program is rendered during a predetermined space of time and with a continuously variant Wave length as before set forth. Such a modified key adapter is clearly outlined at Figure 7 but its operation, when viewed in connection with all of the foregoing, will be self-apparent it is-believed, without a more lengthy and repetitious description thereof.

Having thus fully 'disclosedmy invention, -it will nevertheless be understood, as has heretofore been intimated, that I do not necessarily confine myself to allof the details exactly as disclosed, excepting as they may comewithin the terms of the ensuing claim, or equivalent steps or combinations of ele ments, or as fairly interpreted in the light of the specification if necessary, for it will be obvious that Various alterations as'to details might be made without departing from the gist or the spirit of the invention.

I What I do claim, as new and patentable, 1s:-

In systems of the character disclosed, embodying a transmitting set, having adjustable wave ,changin means, and a receiving set having adjusta le wave responsive means,

the combination of a swinging support associatedwith said receiving set, connecting means between said swinging support and said wave responsive means for automatically adjusting the latter in reverse directions by the swinging movementsof the former, a translating key adapter, providing a keying surface of predetermined; multiform irgregularly successive varyingjioutline, movably mounted in association with said swin ing support, means for maintaining said swinging support in operatlve associatlon with said keying surface, and actuating means for said adapter for causing said keying surface to wipe over said swinging support, the said actuating means being under synchronie control relatively to an equivalent combination of elements at the transmitting set that automatically adjusts the wave 10 -changing means of thelatter.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

RAYMOND BAINTON. 

